Referee Communication

by Se La Perdio 8/17/2013, 3:51 pm

We were at a U12 game today and saw a referee crew using communication devices (ear piece and lapel mic) to talk to each other. Has anyone seen this before?

by nearpost95 8/17/2013, 4:13 pm

Referees typically do this at the professional and international levels. You'll occasionally see it in youth soccer if one of the crew members has the equipment. You could have state and national level referees on your youth game, depending on what is going on in the soccer world that weekend. There are a few guys that don't work pro games that have the equipment.

by finish1 8/17/2013, 5:45 pm

For me, it's keep it simple. Raise the flag, make the call.

by Se La Perdio 8/17/2013, 5:58 pm

Sometimes the refs were not as focused on the game because they were communicating with each other but there were also some occasions where the communication helped the game. It was just a little unexpected to see the communication devices at a youth match.

by finish1 8/17/2013, 7:11 pm

EPL got through its first day of the 2013-14 season without using new goal line technology. How long before we get our first official time out in professional soccer? What's next?

by SailorMoon 8/17/2013, 8:54 pm

Se La Perdio wrote:We were at a U12 game today and saw a referee crew using communication devices (ear piece and lapel mic) to talk to each other. Has anyone seen this before?

Saw it at Classic League qualifying this year at UTD. Surprised me to see it, but sure did.

by Guest 8/18/2013, 10:05 am

And in other news, the cell phone was invented...

Referee Communication Original

by Lalash 8/19/2013, 10:40 am

PPL told the coaches and manager at last year's meeting that they were working towards having the communication pieces soon. Saw them at the PT this past weekend.

by soccerman771 8/19/2013, 2:36 pm

This is a bad idea unless the crew is very familiar with each other and are very senior referees. I know National Candidate referees that won't use them unless forced to do so. More bad than good can come from using them. That and the sets are expensive. $765.00 for a 3 person set.